Which is better: chasing the dream or achieving balance?

The Covid-19 pandemic sparked a major shift in how employees view their working lives. In the years since the upheaval, many have chosen to switch off their laser focus on career progression – the dogged pursuit of a dream role over the long term – and settle instead for roles that promise greater flexibility and work-life balance. 

But is that a sacrifice worth making? 

We wanted to know what the CMI community thought, so we threw the question out on LinkedIn. Assuming the ability to work, which we concede isn’t exactly a given in the current economic climate, should you always strive towards your dream job? Or is it better to find a position that works more holistically and settle into that? 

Thirst for knowledge

The poll drew 1,248 responses and generated a clear consensus. Eighteen per cent said they thought it more important to strive for career goals; 16% said they think it’s better to prioritise wellbeing; and a hefty 66% said it was best to seek to balance both. 

As usual, the poll also served as a fertile ground for insights from responsive readers. The consensus in the comments was that each approach offers certain benefits – at the right time. 

Tyrese Dyer began with a rallying cry for personal development – the kind CMI can easily get behind: “Sticking with it can become a safe zone for some people but can turn into stagnancy and can hinder progress. Aim for the stars and you shall hit the clouds. Aim higher than your goal always, apply personal continuous improvement and upskill and learn. Be thirsty for knowledge and become the master of what you do.” 

• Read more: is middle management just a “thankless slog”?

But he also sounded a note of caution around the wisdom of putting all your career eggs in one basket. “Your dream job may be a job you aren’t suited for,” he wrote.